Inspection
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Bring a friend to run all faucets and flush all toilets simultaneously to stress-test the drain system.
Replacing sewer lines is expensive when it is cheap.
one person who lived it
Store basement possessions in bins or off the ground.
Cardboard boxes do not fare well in a flood.
one person who lived it
Avoid storing food in a storage unit.
It will attract mice.
one person who lived it
Do not use leftover grocery store boxes for long-term storage.
They can attract ants due to smells like banana residue.
one person who lived it
If you see many icicles on a roof, consider it a sign of poor insulation allowing heat (or AC) to escape, or potentially poor attic ventilation.
Heat escaping through the roof melts snow; lack of air escape in the attic can also cause this.
- Icicles can be caused by poor attic ventilation even if insulation is fine.
- In southern climates, icicles may indicate escaping A/C rather than heating issues.
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- If icicles form, inspect the attic for heat leaks from oven vents, leaking doors, chimneys, poorly insulated ducts, or holes around light fixtures.1
Store basement items on pallets to elevate them off the floor.
This helps avoid water damage.
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Place plastic sheeting on top of pallets.
This keeps water from soaking up into the pallet wood.
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Bury agricultural pipe in low-lying locations if the issue is seepage rather than surface runoff.
It helps a ton with seepage.
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Install water alarms or sensors near sinks, washers, refrigerators, and floor drains to receive phone notifications of leaks.
Catching a sewer backup or leak early prevents filling the house with water.
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Hire a highly reviewed, qualified, and certified home inspector who spends hours on the job rather than doing a quick once-over.
There are many lazy inspectors out there.
one person who lived it
Check gutters during rain to see if they are working normally or overflowing.
You will see drainage from the property and any problems.
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Fit your main outgoing pipes with a backwater or one-way valve to prevent sewage from backing up into the basement when outside storm drains flood.
Prevents the basement from filling with sewage during heavy storms.
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Check if snow melts unevenly on a roof compared to neighbors; this may indicate poor insulation, though sun exposure or roof heating systems can also cause melting.
Heat leaking through bad insulation melts snow, while good insulation keeps it intact.
- Roof heating systems melt snow for safety.
- Shade coverage affects melting.
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Check your basement daily for flooding or issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Issues are often missed because people rarely visit the basement.
- Some consider checking every day excessive.
one person who lived it
Opt for soft washing instead of high-pressure washing on home exteriors.
Pressure washing can destroy siding and exterior coverings.
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Place flood detectors near toilets, bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters to reduce flooding damage.
It is a cheap and effective way to reduce damage from sudden flooding.
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Visit a potential home after heavy rain or an icy snowstorm to check for leaks near windows and corners, and to identify outdoor drainage problems.
Storms reveal water intrusion and drainage issues that are not visible otherwise.
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Make the home sale contingent on a satisfactory inspection report from a qualified inspector.
One person reported saving approximately $10k in repairs by doing so.
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Do not waive inspections during the due diligence period, even in fast-moving markets.
Waiving inspections causes nervousness about buying homes without proper checks.
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Specifically inspect crawl spaces for water intrusion, even if HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems have been checked.
Crawl spaces can take on water rapidly.
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Hire an independent home inspector rather than one recommended by the realtor or seller to ensure an unbiased assessment of necessary repairs.
Realtors may recommend inspectors who provide shoddy work to avoid liability.
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Purchase inexpensive insurance from reputable storage companies.
To cover theft and damage.
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Have someone present inside the home while exterior pressure washing or soft washing is performed.
To catch unexpected leaks immediately.
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Be aware that high heat production from activities like crypto mining or growing marijuana can mimic signs of poor insulation.
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Check the attic for missing or displaced fiberglass batts, particularly around areas where utilities were recently installed.
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